New Member

Posts: 4
From:Copperas Cove, texas, us
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 11-28-2003 08:53 PM         

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I have an Australian shephard she is 2 years old. She is the best dog I have ever owned, but we are having a couple of problems. The biggest problem is when people come to the door she continuously barks and will not be quiet. I have tried all kinds of correcting and trying to find something that will work but nothing has yet. She was socialized alot when she was a puppy and went to a training class but I have been told that they tend to become more reserved with their age. Even if it is someone she knows she will still bark and won't hush. It is very hard to carry on a conversation with a neighbor while she does this. I have recently been putting her in a bedroom until they leave. She is also just very shy towards new people. As long as I tell people to not look at her and not to pet her she is fine and will adjust to them being there after awhile and then will become friends with them. But she actually makes me nervous to introduce her to new people for fear she will bite. There has actually been one guy that was friends with my hubby that went to get off the couch alittle too quick I guess and she jumped at him to bite him. So any advice would be great. The other biggest problem is I have an almost 4 year old who she LOVES to herd around LOL But the problem is he can not run because she becomes quite agressive in her herding that she will actually nip him on the arm. So once again any advice or suggestions on any of this would greatly be appreciated. She really is a good dog with just a couple of things that need work on. She is very active as most aussies are in fact I was very concerned for awhile cause she wouldn't gain weight she is only 30lbs (skinny) til my vet told me that she is just so hyper and high energy. But I sure do tell anyone to get an aussie because they are very loyal you can just see how they want to please their owner in their eyes. In fact my hubby and I are going to get another aussie here in the spring. So I am quite excited about that. So like I said any suggestions anyone has I would appreciate it so much Thank you

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Member

Posts: 1387
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 11-28-2003 10:57 PM         

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Hi Dolphin,

I have an Aussie/Lab X named Dooley. Aussies can be very protective of their family and "stuff" belonging to the family. Dooley will bark at the door when somebody comes over. We tried several things without much success. Finally I read somewhere that I should allow him to bark to alert me of whatever it is he has noticed. But he should only bark once or twice...then I say "Thank you, It's OK" If he barks after that..he goes in his kennel. I don't yell at him or anything, I just say Kennel up. He learned pretty quickly that he would be kenneled and not be able to see or take part in whoever or whatever was at the door. He is pretty good about it now. You have to be really consistent though. As far as being around someone, trying to talk to them etc...and her continueing to bark...I wouldn't put up with that either, you should be able to tell her "enough" or "It's OK" and have her understand that you have it under control. Have you ever taken obedience classes with her? Maybe a couple sessions with a trainer would be a good thing, at your home would be great where the trainer can see how she responds to people at her house. The trainer can show you hands on techniques for the behavior she see's and then you continue using them. Same thing for the herding of your child, Dooley was really hard to break of doing that to my kids, but we were consistent in correcting him everytime he did it. He no longer herds the kids. A trainer could help you with that too, AND then you would have those skills to pass onto the new pup you are getting in the spring.

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New Member

Posts: 2
From:Chatsworth, CA
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 11-29-2003 07:02 AM         

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I have a 7 1/2 month old Aussie, and, on the advice of a trainer, the way I taught him not to bark was...to teach him to bark on command! Once he had that down, it was a fairly simple exercise to get him to stop. Now, when I say, "Luc, woof woof." he barks, and when I say, "No woof," he stops.

Teaching him to bark on command was easy. He's extremely food-driven, so I would hold a treat just out of his reach, and as he reached for it, I'd say, quietly, "Luc, woof." When he barked, he got the treat.

For those occasions when he's going to be encountering a great many strange people, I reinforce it with a citronella collar. I also taught him from the start not to make any noise in his crate, so I'll sometimes crate him.

Actually, my problem with this little genius is jumping up. He still does it, despite all his training, but I know if I keep at it the training will eventually take.

Good luck! You couldn't have chosen a greater breed.

Philip

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New Member

Posts: 4
From:Copperas Cove, texas, us
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 11-29-2003 09:54 AM         

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Thank you so much I will have to try this and see what happens. As far as a crate and putting her in there, well since she was about 3 or 4 months old, she would no longer go into the crate, she became very "cage aggressive" as my vet called. He said that some dogs are like that. But I totally agree I couldn't have asked for a better breed of dog. She is wonderful. My son and her play all day long, but he just can't run cause he knows she will be right behind him nipping LOLOL But Daisy (is her name) is just an awesome dog. Thank you again for the suggestions

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Member

Posts: 1387
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 11-29-2003 10:09 AM         

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I didn't catch how old your son is..if you feel he is old enough, have him go out and run, when she starts to chase and nip have him turn around abruptly and in a stern voice tell her "no" or "enough". My daughter, although silly and actually liked being chased, did finally realize that it didn't feel that great to get nipped at and started doing this, it worked.

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